St Albans News

Sign of the times

page 4

Junk and Disorderly

page 9

July 2013

Highlights

St Albans NewsThe Voice of our Neighbourhood

The St Albans News — distributed free to 7000 households

Edgeware tradies

page 12

Wolfmanpage 8

Come along fora laugh

By Liz Van Halewyn from notes by Hannah Airey

The St Albans Laughter Club began on March 18, 2007 and, until the September earthquake in 2010, met at the St Albans Community Centre on Colombo Street.

Since then it has relocated to the Scottish Society Hall on the corner of Edgeware and Caledonian Roads, and runs every Sunday morning at 11am for 45 minutes.

The Laughter Club has four voluntary facilitators who each merge their own individual styles with the same format, which combines gentle stretching with laughter exercises to stimulate real laughter.

The psychological and physiological benefits of laughter are huge, and notably, laughter is well-documented as being the body’s natural antidote to stress. During periods of laughter, the brain and body are flooded with oxygen, muscles relax and circulation is increased. As endorphin and serotonin levels rise, blood pressure normalises and the immune system is stimulated, among many other health benefits.

Unless you want to lie on a blanket or yoga mat at the end for relaxation, no special equipment is required for a Laughter Club session, and only a small donation of $2 is requested. There is no need to make a booking or to feel self-conscious – the St Albans Laughter Club is attended by men, women and children of all ages.

So if you have a little spare time on a Sunday morning do come along for a laugh, you just might be glad you did. z

Hannah Airey

The St Albans News relies on your

contributions. Please send your articles,

letters and notices to [email protected].

The deadline for the next issue is Sunday the 18th of August

St Albans News July 2013

St Albans News, July 2013Vol 20, No 3, Issue 200

The St Albans News is a community newspaper. This newspaper is delivered monthly, and is free to over 7000 homes and businesses. All contents are copyright by the original authors. Please acknowledge the source of any excerpts as the St Albans News.Send your news contributions and adverts to:St Albans News, P.O. Box 21-102, ChristchurchEmail: [email protected]: http://www.stalbans.gen.nzProofreaders: Belinda Carter Liz Van Halengn, Daph ParkinsLayout, advertisement design: Maria HaywardWith regular contributions from: Hilaire Campbell, Peggy Kelly, Belinda Carter, Reetah Mitchell, Lucas Lormans, Wolfman, Helen Ross, Emma Twaddell and others.The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the St Albans Residents’ Association.

Emma TwaddellChair of the St Albans Residents’ Association

Five Great Reasons to Live in St Albans

This Winter

Submitted A Peppernit

1. The scoops of chips at the newly re-opened St Albans Seafood (fish and chip shop) down Westminster Street

2. The friendly smile and wave as thanks when you stop to let others pass when forced into one lane of traffic

3. The 24 hour surgery catering for all manner of illness and sports related injuries close by

4. EQC finally back in our area beginning to look at land damage to properties

5. The abundance of feijoa windfalls on the streets, just pick up and eat!

For 15 years the St Albans Residents Association (SARA) has worked in the St Albans area with the vision of making St Albans a vibrant and inclusive community.

Because of its string of successful and award winning projects SARA has been able to use its developed resources and systems (and a large amount of volunteer time) to continue some projects, jolt SARA into its new world and help connect our community in this time of disaster. It could be doing a lot more if it had a home and staff.

Over the past three years SARA has asked our local elected representatives and CCC staff for some transparency around decisions and the public statements made that have had detrimental effects on the capabilities of SARA.

We lack understanding how these actions fit with CCC Policy and the Councilors Code of Conduct. SARA will continue to work on improving the involvement of local residents in the planning of our community and the communication of decisions made by council that effect our ‘community of interest’ – St Albans.

I hope you are all aware of the CCC consultation on the Northern Motorway Plan including Cranford St and Innes Rds. Click here for the Northern Arterial Project and submission form or contact Christine Toner on 941 8355. The closing date is 1st July though SARA has asked

for this to be extended to enable residents to have enough information to make informed submissions.

SARA has been in contact with the Council and the Shirley/Papanui Community Board. We have asked for more information on the process taken for the Northern Arterial Plan and consultation and how the preferred route was selected.

Christine Toner, the Transport Consultation Leader says a CCC Feasibility Report will be made public very soon. “It will give the background and answers to a lot of the questions the community are asking, “she said.

SARA’s view on this project is that it should be shelved and the problem solved by appropriate public transport for commuters. In March 2011 one of the first emerging themes from the CCC’s Share An Idea community public engagement campaign was ‘fewer cars in the Central City.’ Consultation on the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan indicated strong support for more emphasis being to be placed on prioritising active and public transport in the short term, whilst improving network efficiency.

SARA’s view is that it is unacceptable to plan this major road through the middle of a community. It is deplorable to ask people to submit on this plan without having the complete route investigated. The road is proposed to get people to the city – not to Innes/Cranford St corner. How would the traffic function from here to the city?

Hi there,In the May St Albans News on the

back page their was a picture of a girl next to a sign that said “Project Taco $6” I would love to know where that shop is because since the quakes my fav Burrito shop has closed and I’m missing it.

Also in regard to your question: I grew up around Philpotts Rd in the

60s and 70s and that was called St Albans but now its called Mairehau but I think the naming of Mairehau as a suburb is recent, like in the last 20 years. I now live down Bishop St near Bealey Ave end and I call that St Albans and if you get a road Map it confirms it as St Albans.

I think if you look up in history this area was where churches were and where the clergy lived hence that’s why we have Bishop St. All the land belonged to the church I think and it started from the likes of the cathedral. So I think a guide to finding where St Albans is to see where the land was relating to/owned by the church at the time. But hey I could be totally wrong.Cheers CaroleEDITORS NOTECarole, you can find them at South City Mall

When I bought a house in Edward Avenue seven years ago, it was advertised as being in St Albans. For the first couple of years, that was acceptable, but then the NZ Post Office decided we were in Edgeware. Once or twice, I have seen a map with

St Albans News July 2013 —

continued on page twelve

Question Mark

With all the rain recently I only saw

one worm. Did anyone else notice

this at their place? Where have all

the worms gone?

(Last weeks answer on back

page)

Dear STAN,Emma Twaddell presents a biased

and subjective view on the Northern Arterial Motorway. I am a long term resident of St Albans and am at a loss to understand how Emma can claim that “the residents of St Albans” do not support their rates going into “unsustainable roading plans that cut up and break down our community”. I have never been asked for my opinion and I suggest that the majority of St Albans residents have also not been asked. Therefore I must assume that Emma’s views are those formed by communication with a minority. I also submit that to say that cycling and public transport are the only way forward is a view which is naïve in the extreme, particularly in regard to the former transport mode for persons of mature age and in respect of the second mode, ignorant of the infrastructure cost of instituting (say) a light rail system with what is still a relatively small population base.

The Press editorial of the 10th June presents a far more realistic and balanced opinion on the matter which I wholeheartedly concur with. The traffic crush in peak hours on Cranford Street, Marshland and Papanui Roads is diabolical for those who have to endure it. Ex mayor Garry Moore is in large part responsible for cancellation of the previous incarnation of the northern arterial solution and it is ironic to note that he was elected to the board of the New Zealand Transport Agency in 2008. The blame for today’s congestion on the roads concerned can in large part be squarely laid at his door. Yours sincerelyAllan GrantEDITORS NOTEWe have been in touch with Garry Moore and have asked if he would like to respond to Mr Grant’s comments. As yet we have not received a response, but as soon as we do, we will post this on the website at www.stalbans.gen.nz

the boundaries of Edgeware indicated and it seems to be all over the shop. There is nothing on the ground to indicate where Edgeware starts or finishes, or indeed exists.

Following Bealey Avenue, there is a sign indicating that you can turn left to get to St Albans, but nothing to tell you when you have arrived. If someone wanted to find Edgeware on a map, they might just get lost.

Indeed, the street maps I have of Christchurch do not indicate where any suburb boundaries lie. Admittedly I bought them seven years ago and have not felt any need to update. Maybe things have changed. When I arrived, no-one used postcodes either, and I took the lack of boundaries and postcodes to be symptomatic of the general disorganisation of New Zealand.

So I am still puzzled how, as I go north, my local garage is in Warrington St, Shirley, yet beyond him it is St Albans. As I go south towards Bealey Ave, it becomes St Albans again. “Edgeware” must be confined to Edgeware Rd and Edward Avenue. Maybe when the streets and sewers, houses, factories, businesses and everything else is fixed up, the Christchurch City Council could put in a few signs so we lesser mortals would have some idea where we might be.Charles Poynton

Want to talk about something you have read in St Albans News? You could send a letter to the editor and wait eight weeks but a faster way of having your say is to visit our Facebook page or website and continue the discussion there. The website is www.stalbans.gen.nz. Locate the newsletter page and make a comment or if you prefer Facebook visit https://www.facebook.com/StAlbansNews

Letters to the Editor


Signs � the Times in St A� ans1880’s

1940’s

2010’s

Increasing housing development in the suburb over the years as needed by its growing population, has created smaller sections with “streets”, “avenues”, “places” and “crescents” etc. Today’s 491 pupils of St Albans Contributing School range from Year 1 to Year 6. � ey arrive at school each day on foot, on scooters or cycles... or are driven!.

“Keeping the wolf from the door” today has contrasting new and more varied opportunities for parents. Typical of today we note these:

� e “bread winners” of the 1940s war years supported their wives and children of St Albans as employers or employees from a variety of categories including these very random samples:

In the 1880s when the Borough of St Albans was semi-rural, the fathers of the St Albans School pupils “brought home the bacon” from occupations such as these.

About 500 scholars walked or ran to school from addresses that were mostly “lanes” or “roads” or “� e Swamp” in the case of many farmers. � e 50 acre rural sections of the 1850s were gradually becoming smaller holdings or residential.

blacksmith

saddler coach builder carrier

stone mason bricklayer shingler

gardener shoe maker boot repairer book

binder coalman surveyor engineer

brewer clergyman pianist hawker mi

ller

baker grocer well sinker tailor

fellmongerer cattle dealer butcher

milkman farmers

CourtenaySt Cornwall St

Cornhill St Oxley St Trafalgar St(Crescent Rd) Dean St St Albans St (Lane) Massey St Henley St School Road Abberley RdBealey Ave (North Town Belt)

early

childhood teacher

nu� e painter

pharmacist fi tness

instructor accountant

mechanic bank clerk sales rep

sonographer engineer administration

IT specialist property maintenance

City Council Staff hair dresser

real estate agent

teacher

Sheppard Place (School Road)

Purchas St(Dean St) Massey Crescent (St) Oxley Ave (St) Allard St (Cornhill St) Abberley Crescent (Rd) Coles Place (Henley St) Roosevelt Ave (Courtenay St) Severn St Mersey St Thames St Dee St

C� scentRdKnightstown Colombo Rd Papanui Rd Roads Board LaneHolly Rd Springfi eld Rd Cla� RdNorth Rd St Albans LaneNorth Town Belt“Swamp”

hardware

manager hospital porter

cordial manufacturer soldiers

fruiterer police photographer wireless

announcer headmaster GPO accountant cabinet maker

art lecturer crumpet manufacturer

timber company manager cycle dealer

printing firm insurance clerk

In the 1940s we still had St Albans District School ranging from Primer 1 to Standard 6 with a roll of 700+ and rising. � e pupils walked, tricycled or biked to school from many “street” addresses, several of them then known as these:

Source: St Albans School RegistersContributed by da� ins, St Albans History Group


by Nigel RushtonOn 14 July 2013 Christchurch will be the first New

Zealand city to host a Ciclovia Festival.Translated from Spanish into English, this means “bike

path.” Ciclovia originated in Bogata, Colombia in the 1970s. These can be a permanently designated bicycle route or the temporary closing of city streets to motorised vehicles, for the enjoyment of the general public and active transport practitioners alike.

Ciclovias are now held in more than 10 countries around the world but with different names. In New York City they are called “Summer Streets”, in Portland, Oregon they are entitled “Sunday Parkways” and Vancouver they’re “LiveStreets”. We call ours Open Streets and the festival will involve the closure of streets in the Central City.

Where the rest of the world holds them during the warm, summer months, we show we are different from everyone else and have our first one in the depths of winter. So come wrapped up and stay toasty warm and healthy.

Open Streets signals the beginning of the transition from the bad, old, car-centric city to the new, dynamic, people-focused Christchurch of the future.

July 14 also marks the start of the school holidays and

launch of the TV2 KidsFest programme, so it’s a great time for all the family to come and savour this special occasion.

A number of activities are planned including:• High-Energy Zone - participate in mass aerobics or

dance classes; watch in awe as bike pros perform; or have a go on pump tracks, skate ramps or a roller derby

• Free Bike Tune Up - ICECycles will fix your brakes and repair your punctures

• Fashion for winter walking and cycling (come dressed to win prizes)

• Euro-chic, French Frocks On Bikes• Bus bike racks and cargo bikes to try• Bike powered milkshakes and a cycle-powered

cinema• Antique bikes and maybe even some specially created

mutant bikes• Musicians and roving buskers• Mock-up of CCC’s proposed new cycle facilities

(Dutch intersection and Copenhagen lane) for people to trial the future cycling infrastructure

• Food and markets• Valet bike parking• Refresh area with mirrors to check hair and

complexion• The festival runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm Check out the http://openstreets.org.nz website for more information or http://www.futurechristchurch.co.nz

Open Streets Festival celebrates cycling

Mairehau HubServicing: Papanui, St Albans, Mairehau, Shirley and Richmond. Residential boundary areas include: Northcote Road – QE 2 Drive south.

What’s happening now?Over 35,000 emergency repairs completed as a result of the February, June and December earthquakes. The full residential repair programme is under way. Over 13,500 winter heat installations so far.

Contact your local hub for help with:Heating/Emergency works/Claims information

Mairehau Hub | 280 Westminster St, Mairehau | Ph 341 9995


by Nicky WagnerHello Guys. Over a few days in mid-June there was

some major flooding in St Albans. We are well aware that the suburb is in a low lying area but the earthquakes have certainly made the situation worse. The flooding allowed Council staff to see where the worst areas were and what needed to be repaired. They are doing their best to get on to this as soon as possible.

I also visited Civil Defence based at Mairehau School and it made me feel more secure that they were all on stand-by, in case the forecast snow arrived.

St Albans residents are lucky, in many ways. that they live so close to the city and have the opportunity to regularly support inner city businesses and cafes. I was very happy to hear that the wonderful Pallet Pavilion, created by Gap Filler, has reached its funding target of $80,000 to keep its place as one of the most interesting venues in Christchurch. It’s great that the project receives so much community support and it’s the perfect place to pop in and enjoy a coffee and relax listening to live music.

For those residents in St Albans who need help with disagreements about their earthquake repairs, the recently established Residents’ Advisory Service has been very busy of late. You can contact the service on 03 379 7027 or 0800 777 299 or email [email protected]. Of course as your local MP, I’m happy to chat about any issues you may have regarding your repair or rebuild so just email me at [email protected] or give me a call on365 8297. z

by Richard Parker, an Edgeware Resident“When the Borough of St. Albans came into existence,

the tramway to Papanui Railway Station was already operating. The Avon Road Board had granted the concession for the Papanui Road stretch in 1878 and the line opened in 1880. The gauge was four feet, eight and a half inches, and the maximum speed allowed ten miles an hour. It was owned by the Canterbury Tramway Company and went into liquidation in 1893.

At first, Papanui trams were drawn by Kitson steam engines. After a few years, horses were used at times, then more often, and from 1893, they alone were used by the Christchurch company. The tramway was considered an asset to the Borough, but the Council had problems with both companies. The Tramway Act of 1872, and their concessions required that they keep their part (the centre) of the road in order to a distance of eighteen inches outside the rails. The horses damaged the road level in a way that caused accidents to other traffic and when hollows were dug between and beyond the rails, water collected.”

Quoted from An Informal History, St. Albans, from Swamp to Suburb.

However we have come a long way in technology since the late 1800s, and we in St. Albans are in a modern society, where we could have a tram from Cathedral Square as we know it, with silent electric trams, all the way up Colombo Street to Edgeware (where there was a cinema in the 1950s).

The unique transport system would be ideal for locals travelling to and from Edgeware to the Square and what an appeal it would be for the tourists who will be coming in droves very soon once we have the new Modern Christchurch restored.

St Albans and Edgeware village would certainly stay on the map. z

Bad Weather - Good News

Tram Talk

• WOF & full mechanical repairs

• $72.20/hr charge rate

• Latest diagnostic equipment

• Courtesy cars• Open Saturday

www.edgeauto.co.nz25 Canon Street 377 1133

Nicky Wagner MP for christchurch central

[email protected] Ph: 03 365 8297 103 salisbury st, christchurch 8013

www.national.org.nz

Let’s keep working together as Christchurch moves ahead


In October, more than 300 people attended community forums in Kaiapoi and Brighton to listen to Dr Rob Gordon, a visiting Australian specialist in disaster psychology who has supported people affected by more than 30 disasters. One participant summed up the reaction of many when he said, “Things make a lot more sense now. Rob Gordon tells it like it is.”

Here are some of Dr Rob’s tips for coping with the on-going effects of a disaster:

1. A fast recovery is not necessarily a good recovery. Pace yourself and focus on things that give your life value and meaning eg. relationships, family, recreational activities, your health or your career.

2. Take time to assess your energy levels. If you are feeling tired or stressed consider ways you can recharge your battery. Maybe you could get away for a weekend or take a walk, listen to music or, talk to friends – you decide how best to take care of yourself.

3. Ensure you maintain control of your own recovery by identifying, and focusing, on the things you can control. It’s ok to acknowledge things beyond your control but try not to focus on them.

4. Ask yourself: “What am I not doing that I used to do? How do I maintain the quality of my life during this long and, at times, difficult recovery period?”

5. Maintain your established daily or weekly routines, or, if necessary create temporary ones during the recovery period. Established routines protect us from uncertainty and constant change.

6. Deal with small problems before they become bigger. Don’t let things slip, or postpone them till after it is all ‘back to normal’. Recovery means finding a new normal and it needs to include what is valuable and important to you.

DR ROB’S TIPS


What’s Cool After School?Has anyone been watching X-Factor? Isn’t Stan just the man! In the four years since winning Australian Idol Stan has released three full length albums and his latest hit single ‘Take it Easy’, all of which have just been released as a box set ‘The Complete Collection’. A quick run through of the tracks reminds you just many hits this dude has had. Stan’s ‘World Tour of NZ’ hit’s Christchurch on September 19 at the Air Force Museum. Tickets are $65 from Ticketek. Here are five ‘did you knows’ about Stan. Bye... Tweenwolf:1. Although born in Melbourne, Stan grew up on a

marae in the Mount.2. To date Stan has sold 170,000 singles and 100,000

albums in NZ alone.3. This year Stan made his acting debut in the NZ

made movie Mt Zion. I’ve seen it; cool movie.4. Stan is rumoured to be dating Brittany Cairns, a

contestant on the Australian 2012 season of ‘The Voice’.

5. Stan’s upcoming tour of NZ is the longest anyone has attempted in recent music history.

What Next?

Here are some Gig highlights from around town over the coming weeks.• Shapeshifter – The Bedford Big Top – Thurs 11 and

Fri 12 July• House Of Shem – The Bedford – Saturday 13 July• The Babysitters Circus – Dux Live – Thursday 18 July• The Phoenix Foundation – The Bedford – Friday 19

July• The Veils – Dux Live – Saturday 20 July• Amiria Grenell – Darkroom – Friday 26 July• Lindon Puffin – Pomeroys – Friday 9 August• Adam McGrath (The Eastern) – Pomeroys – Friday 23

August• Paquin – Darkroom – Friday 6 September

Hello Peeps. I trust you all got out and about during NZ Music month. There was talent bursting from every musical nook and cranny that our beaten up city has to offer. More of the same please! This edition offers a small peek into one of the gigs I checked out and also looks at what an international rock god gets up to in his spare time. I hope you like it...

What's Hot?Local duo Jed & Hera released their first album together

at the Dux Live on Sunday, 19 May. The Dux Live has an uncanny knack of providing the perfect atmosphere for whoever is performing, regardless of genre. This night was no different. A friendly, mellow and intimate occasion with two of Christchurch’s shining stars.

On the album ‘Live at York St,’ 30 year old Hera, who hails from Iceland and has eight previous albums to her name, teams up with Jed Parsons, the local lad from Lincoln with the tone of an angel. A slickly produced, 15 track album packed with songs that are beautifully structured and full of magical harmonies. Check out the charming video for their first single “Issues”: http://www.herasings.com

Part of the Fledge collective, Jed & Hera roll with a

great bunch of talented artists who are doing lots of cool things in all the cool places around town. With regular slots at ‘The Monday Room’ and ‘The Astro Lounge,’ Jed & Hera are well worth a look.

What Rocks?If you’re a fan of Dave Grohl or even just a lover of

musical history then this is the movie for you. In May 1991, Dave Grohl turned up at Sound City after driving down from Seattle with his Nirvana band mates to record the album that would become Nervermind. Back then it was a run down, scruffy studio where classic albums from the likes of Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash and Weezer were all made. When Sound City closed in 2011 it affected Grohl who decided to buy the old ‘Neve’ mixing console from studio A and install it in his own studio 606.

This full length feature takes you on a rock ‘n’ roll journey through three decades of recording in this prolific studio (along with all of the hijinks that came with it). It culminates in Grohl inviting the artists who made those historic albums to record again, one last time, on the legeºndary ‘Neve’ board.

“Who would have ever thought that I would be here playing alongside the reason I got into music (McCartney of The Beatles) recording on the reason I am here today” - Dave Grohl

As Rolling Stone described it: “Sound City hits you like a shot in the heart”

If your kids don’t think dreams come true they need to watch Sound City. Get your hands on a copy.

Until next time, let the music in and rock a little harder... z

Wo lfman


by Lorna SzentivanyiMy recent visit to Junk and Disorderly, a new shop on

Berwick Street, proved a very interesting experience. This shop, run by the Potter’s House Christian Charitable Trust, is staffed by volunteers and was opened in December 2012.

A shop that deals in recycled goods, it is arranged as you would expect to see a boutique, with its Laura Ashley wallpaper and polished floorboards, testament to the hard work put in by the volunteers. They turned the old Presbyterian Church rooms into an inviting shop. The goods for sale have all been donated, carefully looked after and arranged attractively in the main room and in several smaller rooms, not at all disorderly!

The volunteers enjoy working in these pleasant surroundings and claim it gives them a reason to get up in the morning, providing a new way forward post earthquakes. Some of the volunteers come from the attached Ballet School and the children have provided some cupcakes for sale.

Profits from the shop are returned to the community and overseas outreach. Locally, community dinners, youth concert and band and periodic seminars with overseas speakers have been held. A community garden is planned for the Spring.

A privately run Souvlaki van is on site, open in the evenings, and the hope is to have a coffee van on site as well.

A concern expressed was the danger, particularly for the children of the Ballet School, of the speed of traffic around the curve in the road and it is hoped the City Council Traffic Department will investigate ways to improve safety. z

Junk and DisorderlyThe Edgeware

Sports Bar“The Tiny Bar

with theBig Atmosphere”

Beside Sema’s RestaurantP h : 3 7 7 2 2 9 4

TAB POD & TAB TERMINAL

Pool Table18 Pokies


by Belinda CarterA support group for St Albans would help local residents coping with a

second round of trauma and the feeling they have been forgotten by larger agencies, according to a City Mission outreach worker. Social and Community Outreach Worker Mary Rose was talking at the AGM of the Edgeware Village Green last month when she made the suggestion that local support groups would help people facing a second round of trauma dealing with EQC and insurance companies and who feel “forgotten”.

The idea of these groups comes from Dr Rob Gordon, an Australian psychologist and disaster recovery specialist who has visited New Zealand through the auspices of the Red Cross and has spoken at number of well-attended and positively received public talks on the various stages of recovery.

Mary expressed an interest in collaborating with local community leaders to start a group locally. Regular local groups can provide mutual support and the opportunity to share solutions. Mary feels such a group could be useful in St Albans, noting that a recurrent theme of her contact with local residents is that they have been “forgotten” by the larger agencies.

Dealing with post-quake repairs and recovery is taking its toll on people’s well-being. She says the earthquakes and their consequences have put additional stresses on already vulnerable groups within the community. It is also seeing a re-emergence of earlier life issues that people had thought they had dealt with.

A common refrain that Mary hears is that “other people are worse off than me” especially from the older age groups.

Mary Rose operates from a large camper van, often seen at local events and gatherings, which doubles as a mobile office. The City Mission wanted to be able to respond to people who were either unhappy, or unable, to come to the City Mission’s normal base in the Central City. The van was funded by the Lion Foundation and the Tindall Foundation.

Mary has been finding that her service has been attracting people who have previously not had contact with the social services, including some who have been City Mission volunteers. Services that Mary provides include general discussion, information on available support (including financial grants), referrals to other services, advocacy and individual /family social work input.

Her contact details are as follows: phone 365 0635, mobile 027 468 8568 or email at: [email protected]: based on notes taken by Helen Ross, EVG Secretary z

By Lou LangrishA market, where youth (under 25)

get free stalls, needs volunteers to start up again in summer!

Are you interested in arts/creativity/events or developing your organisational skills? This is a fun, rewarding project where you can gain heaps of experience and work in a team. Christchurch Youth Market is a not for profit market and needs willing, keen and eager individuals to help run it this summer.

The market is designed to be transient and dynamic - we have several locations around Christchurch that we can potentially use on market days St Albans, Shirley, City Centre, Linwood and New Brighton. This means we can reach out to more youth and the community.

If you are interested or want to know more about getting this market working in St Albans please don’t hesitate to contact us. [email protected] or [email protected]. Check it out at facebook.com/chchyouthmarket This would also be a great idea for school groups or student projects. z

How about a local EQ support group for St Albans?

Can you help get the

Christchurch Youth

Market in St Albans

this summer?

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH 192 Cranford Street, St Albans, Christchurch 8014. Phone 03 960 9752 Jane Mobile 021 832 851. www.babyonthemove.co.nz Email [email protected]

Hire or buy new, the choice is yours.Car SeatsBuggys / StrollersBassinets / CotsHighchairs and more...

Now at: 933 Colombo St (Next to 24 Hour Surgery)

No Appointment RequiredNew Patients Welcome

Weekdays 8am-6pm / Saturday 9am-1pmPhone (03) 3791112 www.promed.health.nz

St AlbAnS PhArmAcyEdgeware Village

Cnr Colombo & Edgeware RdEdgeware Village

Phone. 366 0404Open 6 days including Saturday 10am-3pm

Here to help with: Prescriptions Healthcare Beauty Passport photos Gifts for any occasion


by Lucas LormansAs we settle into the “third year”

of recovery from the devastating Canterbury earthquakes, I got to thinking about what has made me such a dedicated St Albans resident. Why, when my community appeared to physically crumble around me and the options for moving west, or out of Christchurch altogether, continued to be placed in front of me, did I feel compelled to stay?

What makes me so passionate about writing for our brilliant local newsletter, makes me proud to tell people where I live, and what makes me smile when I turn left into Springfield road from Bealey Ave every day coming home from work?

Take it back a couple of steps. September 2010, then February 2011 and finally June 2011 changed our city, let alone our suburb, forever. Barbadoes Street lost its Edgeware corner shopping centre. Edgeware Village, regarded as the heart of our suburb, was decimated. Our roads were ruined, and many family homes were damaged beyond repair (think Lindsay Street, Canon Street, Edgeware Road, Madras Street and Allard street). On the surface St Albans was no longer the appealing suburb it once was.

Residents could be forgiven for leaving, as many did, and would not be thought any less of because of it. But I think back to a moment during the chaos after the February earthquake, which epitomizes to me what St Albans is all about and makes it such a great place to live.

My wife, daughter and I were standing on the street that afternoon outside our house after making it home safely. We were watching everything happen in front of us–emergency services racing by, frightened people running and driving home–when a teenage boy pulled into our driveway on his mountain bike and instantly asked “have you got a bike pump I could use?” While I ran to grab one

from the garage and pump up his bike, my wife was subsequently letting someone she had never met use her phone. Our neighbours; both from the units in our complex and next door; then joined us on the street, and after a sharing of supplies (water, torches, batteries, spare radios), we all just stood together and watched the city react.

I have never felt such a sense of community anywhere I have lived in NZ, and this for me said it all. This has cont inued to be shown throughout St Albans, both prior to these events and after. To see the joy on people’s faces as they walked through the doors of the newly re-opened SuperValue Edgeware said it again. Chatting to people inside, they were just as happy that their central gathering place was back, as much as the shopping convenience it provided. Equally, the despair shown in the community at the closure of the shopping centre across the road–this was “ours”, and we didn’t want to lose it.

The attitude of customers at Simon Lau’s “Crisp”, in his temporary premises, was the same. They just wanted those who were involved in St Albans to survive–and thrive. So he was subsequently well supported.

Again when Crisp, United Video and KB’s all moved into their permanent premises, shopping there provided you with such a warming and pleasant experience–everyone was so glad to have more of their suburb back! Any concerns about the effect that the new Bailies Bar might have had on the neighbourhood were very quickly laid to rest, as it has become

yet another fantastic, welcoming meeting spot to catch up with friends within the community.

Taking the kids to St Albans Park on any given day, you are sure to meet some welcoming faces. Parents whom I have never met prior, and plenty I have, are always willing to chat about their day and their children, and watching the kids interact and make new friends is a joy that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. Again community spirit here always shines.

As I have previously written, St Albans School does an amazing job in the centre of St Albans. My daughter has thoroughly enjoyed her first year there, with old friends joining her and new friends being made. Again, parents I had never met are always ready to chat. They are happy to be there, to have their kids attending there. The crew in the school café do an amazing job, as do the teachers and other staff. It’s just another place within St Albans where you are made to feel like an important part of it.

And now, after moving to Weston Road, I have had the joy of experiencing the cosy community feel at Meshino Café – even the Crusaders make time to smile and say hi!

I could go on–but put simply–I feel lucky to live here and be so welcomed within the community. It really is the best suburb in Canterbury–which is just getting better as the area continues to recover. z

Community spirit shines in St Albans

St Albans School Patrol


by Dave MitchellCurly and his band of

tradesmen, most of whom are from out of town, have decided to give something back to the community in which they now live.

The plan is to do voluntary work one morning every month for people in St Albans who need some type of tradesman work done, but who are unable to do so themselves. Any type of work is considered, but it must be in St Albans, because they want every community to form a similar group within their communities.

But they have a problem: they need materials. So, if any individual or business is able to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you need help or are able to offer help, email [email protected] or pop into the Edgeware Sports Bar (Tiny’s) and ask for Curly or Dave.

My name is Garry Berryman & I am 78 years old. Lived my 1st 20 yrs at 233 Cranford St which ended at Innes Rd with only farms north of that. When aged 18 Kath & I bought a section 4 blocks away in Ethne St. A farmer carved his farm & named three new streets after his 3 daughters, Nancy Norah & Ethne. We spent 2 years building our own house together finished in time to move into when we got married at age 20.

In my opinion St Albans has always been our area at both addresses with Mairehau being that land north of Innes Rd. I get really browned off because half our mail comes as Mairehau & not our correct St Albans 8013.

Just thought I would add my gripe to all the others you are referring to.Yours faithfully,Garry G Berryman.

Springfield Road is the boundary between Merivale and St Albans, and

has been for some time.WhereI live in Berry St, all real

estate property is defined as Merivale west of Springfield Road and has been for some years.Mark

Dear Sirs,On the back page of your May 2013

issue under the heading of “Question Mark Answer” you contend the footpath is unsafe by some of the recently rebuilt suburban shops because the building floor level has been raised to cope with potential flooding.

Surely, that is not an answer at all. What relevance is there between the level of the floor of a private development and the public footpath?

The real issue is that there is a requirement on the developer to have accessible access for all, so only a maximum door threshold of 20 mm is allowed. To achieve that requires a much larger door entrance to ramp up

into the shop giving a loss of rentable space, so rather than make the retail spaces unusable and less profitable, it is easier to “adjust” the Council’s footpath. Council obviously approves in some cases the “adjusting” of their footpath. It is not the only solution Council enforces. In some cases they do enforce a bigger entrance, and in one case (cnr Barbadoes & Edgeware) they allowed a retail unfriendly system of steps and ramps to protrude out into the public footpath.

The fact that Council show no consistency in their acceptance of access solutions, this has led to the situation where some footpaths outside suburban shops are now probably unsafe. It is somewhat ironic that in order to provide good inclusive access at the entrances into retail premises, it has got to a situation where the public path has been compromised and is now considered dangerous!Regards,Paul van Herpt, St Albans

Finally, we do not want to take work off other tradesman or home handymen, so if you can afford it, please hire them. z

We’re looking for volunteer writers, reporters, investigative journalists.At St Albans News, we’re always striving to bring you the best articles, in depth reports and interesting facts about this great suburb that we live in. However, to do so, we are searching for more volunteer writers and reports and even investigative journalists.

If you think you might be a good fit as a volunteer writer, reporter, investigator or even an editor at the St Albans Newsletter, send an email to [email protected] with the following:• Background about your

qualifications and experience• At least 2 writing samples,

and a link to a blog or website if you have one

• A statement about why you want to write for/work with us

Tradies volunteer in St Albans

Letters to the Editor, continued from page three

Write for us

Curly & Dave share a joke & at the local


Mozarts’ 4 Year Old Choir raised the roof on the Elmwood School Auditorium recently and had more than one proud parent choking on tears.

It wasn’t a rendition of U2’s famous song that this young choir was singing during their gala performance but the children were the “sweetest things”.

The children performed original songs by Mozarts’ Director, Felicity Williams including Digging up a Dinosaur, Everyone walk the Dinosaur and Sail Boat Sail. The songs were accompanied by choreographed dance routines

Their singing and dancing was dynamic and each member of the choir, through their individual styles, provided the audience with a great show.

Mozarts Performing Arts School and Kindergarten is in Bristol Street, coming up 20 years next year. z

The sweetest things take to the stage

Mozart’s Four Year Old Choir performing at Elmwood School

Ta l k i n g T h e r a p y

Registered Psychotherapists

19 Courtenay St, St Albans, Christchurch 8014ph: 03 355 5435

email: [email protected]: www.talkingtherapy.co.nz

(next door to St Albans Vet)

102 Cranford StreetPhone 355 6743

Inspection Welcome

Cats on Cranford

Page 6 St Albans News October 2011

Celebrating 30 years of Recoveryby Helen Ross

September 12th

Tour held at Eden Park, Auckland. For nearly three

nd July against

Poverty Bay - New Zealand was a country divided against

itself. Images of violence and destruction seldom seen in

peacetime appeared in print, over the airwaves and on the

screen on a daily basis - much in the way of earthquake

coverage over the last twelve months. For many of my

contemporaries aged 50 plus their keenest memories of

that time relate to the events, both personal and social,

associated with the Tour. The arguments and debates in

the homes, workplaces and social settings; the marches

and protests on the streets; the matches themselves are all

etched into our individual and collective memories.

I’d like to be able to say - “I was there, doing my bit

to bring down apartheid and end a repressive regime” –

but I can’t. I’d like to but I can’t because that turbulent

three month period in our social history coincided with

a turbulent chapter in my own history. I imagine there

will be many in Christchurch who can relate to this –

people whose emotional, psychological and social worlds

have come tumbling down along with the physical bricks

and mortar. That winter saw me spiral downwards into a

suicidal depression in the wake of a relationship break-

up, over-work, and an inability to practice good self-care.

While others were parked in front of the TV watching

Charles and Diana’s wedding, I was coming round in

hospital from a suicide attempt – wondering where all the

nurses and patients were. The next six weeks were spent at

Fergusson Clinic at Sunnyside Hospital, now Hillmorton.

That spring weekend saw an almost miraculous

lifting of the Depression which had been constant and

debilitating to that point. The dark cloud was there as the

but gone twenty-four hours later. Within days I was out of

life. There have been a number of experiences of recovery

over the years since then but none as spontaneous and

rapid. Some of these recovery experiences have been

related to mental health issues like depression and its

cousin, burn-out but others have been related to physical

injury and illness as well as life events such as divorce,

loss of loved ones, workplace bullying etc.

Sometimes recovery has been painfully protracted. I

succumbed again to Depression in 1998 and this time my

world remained shattered for a very, very long time. One

of the things that hampered my recovery was my anger that

I had got sick again. I’d thought I’d learnt enough about

myself and my “condition” to prevent this. I kept saying “I

want my life back,” much in the same way as I have heard

people say they want the old Christchurch back. Another

hindrance to recovery was my belief, a belief sometimes

erroneously encouraged by the Helping Professions that

of “waiting” for recovery. I recall with gratitude some

of the best advice I received about rebuilding my life. I

was describing to the psychiatrist how it felt that my life

was like a house that had come tumbling down, leaving

me with just a useless pile of bricks. In my very stuck

way of thinking, I was pinning my hopes on another

dramatic remission of the hopelessness, helplessness and

meaninglessness I was experiencing before I could make

a start of rebuilding my life. He suggested an alternative

to me, namely that I started to move one brick at a time

into place. This way, by the time the Depression lifted I

could, in his words, have built a mansion.

The building blocks of personal recovery are many and

varied. Over the past 30 years I’ve made them something

of a focus of study - using knowledge from my own

experience, that of friends and family and of those I

have worked with as a social worker, as well as from the

literature. I’m taking the opportunity of this approaching

30th anniversary to acknowledge those that have worked

for me. I’ll be having a gathering for friends, family

and colleagues this coming month to celebrate food,

importantly, moving forward.

178 Harewood Rdphone: 354 8045

Community Notices


Girl Guides are now at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Madras Street on Thursday nights, Girls age 9 to 13 will find a warm welcome, camping, cooking, crafts, fun and new friends. You don’t have to have been a brownie. Contact Deidre - 027 321 3763 or Barbara: [email protected] Tutors: Do you know an adult who struggles with reading, writing or spelling? Please tell them about the free courses (day or evening) at CPIT Madras Street. They must have NZ residency and fluent spoken English. The Award winning team of tutors include dyslexia experts. Just ring for a chat: 03 940 8178Personality Type in Relationships, Careers and Organisations: A workshop presented by St Albans local Don Rowlands on Sunday 26th July. This course is one of many fantastic courses on this term at CWEA. CWEA provides education for personal growth and towards the establishment of a just and equitable society. See more info at www.cwea.org.nz or ph 366 0285Mairehau Primary School Spring Gala: Come and join in the fun of the fair! Sat 14 Sep, 11:00am – 3:00pmThe St Albans Laughter Club (Est. March 2007) Scottish Society Hall, corner of Edgeware and Caledonian Rds, St Albans. Every Sunday, 11.00am until 11.45am, $2 koha Facilitators: Hannah Airey, Terry Thomsen, Dan Salisbury and Isaac Rule (facilitators take it in turns to take the sessions) Contact: Hannah 021 998 109Rubbish Days: The city council has announced that rubbish days will be changing for some parts of Christchurch, starting the week of July 15. St Albans has been split down the middle, with Cranford Street and Sherborne Street marking the dividing line. Those living between Cranford/ Sherborne and Hills Road will have their rubbish collected on Mondays (not Fridays). Those living

between Cranford Street and Papanui Road will be collected on Friday (not Monday)Stitch ‘n’ Bitch: Bailies Bar, Edgeware Village. Every second Monday of the month @ 7.30pm. Pop along with your crafty stuff or if you fancy learning there will be people there who can help.St Albans Community Discussion: Tuesday August 13th @ 7.30pm. The Northern Arterial Extension. Mairehau Library, 42 Kensington Ave.Parenting Week 2013: 11th - 18th August To find out more go to http://www.facebook.com/Parenting-Week-ChristchurchSt Albans Community BBQ Trailer is available to hire for events. FREE to any St Albans street to use for a street level event. Enquires to [email protected] AlbansSt Albans Community Notice Boards are situated in Edgeware Village and Abberley Park. A key for these notice boards is now kept at Bailies. Please ask behind the bar. The notice boards are for all to advertise local events and activities to the community.Elections for the Mayor, Councillors and Community Boards will be held on Saturday 12 October 2013.The Packe St Park and Community Garden Working Bee and Afternoon Tea: Thursdays 2-4pm.Mairehau Library: Kensington Ave – Open 2-4pm Mon-Fri & Sat 10am-2pm.St Albans Community Preschool has returned home to the corner of Thames and Westminster Streets. Our small community preschool has been providing an early childhood education service to the St Albans community and beyond for over twenty years. Our hours are 8.00am – 3.45pm Monday to Friday and we offer the 20 ECE hours. For more information contact Carol 355-9396 (021-210-6750)

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Quote of the Month

“Let’s be honest, the human community is never simple. The only time it’s simple is if it’s truly defeated and you never want that.”

Bishop Victoria Matthews

trade

skillsBuilding - CarpentryPainting - PlasteringElectrical - Plumbing

PaperhangingWaterblasting

General Handymanand much more

Trade Skills

Phone

Peter on 332-6274

Put a little Class

Into your Evening

Papanui High School Adult and Community

Education Department

We are enrolling for Term 3 Courses Beginning from week of 5 August

For course information please

Telephone the Office 352 0701

Visit the Website www.papanui.school.nz

St AlbAnS PhArmAcyEdgeware Village

Cnr Colombo & Edgeware RdEdgeware Village

Phone. 366 0404Open 6 days including Saturday 10am-3pm

Here to help with: Prescriptions Healthcare Beauty Passport photos Gifts for any occasion

TUITIONApex Painting and Decorating: All interior–exterior work and roofs. Competitive rates. Free Quotes. No job too big or too small. 40 years experience. Pensioner rates available. Ph 354 6300 anytimeA to Z Appliances: Repairing, Selling & Buying Whiteware. Any brand, old or new. I stand by my work with warranties & offer very cheap local rates. For personalized service with a smile phone Zaine Harding on 980– 8262 or 021 249 2292Aakland Carpet Cleaning: Carpets and Upholstery Cleaned. Super cleaned from $15/room. Over 25 years experience. Phone 388 3314.Accountant: Working from home in St Albans. Self employed accounts, rental properties, GST & tax returns. Budgeting & business advice. Contact Susan Ayton 980 7321 or [email protected] Counselling: Experienced Counsellor and Therapist Don Rowlands, is locally based at the Durham Centre, 110 Bealey Avenue. Couple, individuals and blended families. Free counselling July be available through the Disability Allowance (WINZ) or the Family Courts. Ph. (03)365 7776 (wk) or 027 688 2061.Be Relax Massage: Affordable relaxation massage for women, call Alice 355–7986 or email [email protected] Guru: Highest quality computer servicing, fixing all hardware/software problems, installations, advice and more. Servicing St Albans for five years. Callouts start at $40/hr. Offsite repairs $20/hrs. Phone Ron 379 3061 or 021 0243 7398 or [email protected] TherapyRegistered Psychotherapists178 Harewood Road, Papanui, Christchurch. Ph: 354 8045,

fax: 3548042,http://www.talkingtherapy.co.nz/Chartered Accountant: All businesses, contractors, body corps, sole traders, IRD tax, GST, consultation. Kay Fisher 351 2950 or 021 173 8125Door Specialist: Repairs, adjustments and installation of all doors and locks, ranch slider wheels and locks, garage doors. Qualified Tradesman. Ph Stewart 365 2969 or 021 185 4055Hairdresser: Long lasting shiny hair colour, organic based ammonia free, good for you, good for the environment. Great haircuts. The Lounge Hairdressing, 80 Derby St, ph 379 6368Handyman: Pete Knuiman Ltd. For all your property maintenance, repairs, painting, carpentry, fencing, brickwork, tiling work, alterations and those odd jobs. Ph Pete 021 022 53774 or 385–[email protected] cleaning job in St Albans wanted: By honest efficient and reliable lady on a weekly basis. $25 per townhouse/flat. Excellent references available. Ph. Nicola 386 1118Roofing Contractor-Local. Prompt,efficient service. EQC repairs undertaken. Ph Richie 021 342 852 or AH 385 6710Painting and Decorating: Internal/external. 22 years experience plastering. Owner operator, efficient service, locally

SERVICES

St Albans News Classifieds

based. Ph Mark 355 7670 or 027 434 3300

Clarinet, Sax, Guitar & Piano: Experienced local teacher for the NZ Modern School of Music. Phone Nicola 377 1753or 03 420 0341Meditative Yoga: Mary Potter Community Centre. Tuesdays 10–11.30am. Gentle, enjoyable, relaxing. Ideal for mature bodies, fuller figures, beginners. Phone Pauline on 980 8760Yoga Class Thursdays 10am - 11.15am Abberley Park Hall in the delightful Abberley Park - all abilities and ages welcome. Tracy 02204 86949 or 03 420 0341Hypnosis: Beth is one of Christchurch’s highly skilled female Advance Clinical Hypnotherapists. Specialising in womans issues. Qualifications: HDP, DipCAH, PNLP. If you’re struggling with anxiety, sleep, confidence, weight, phobias, self esteem, panic attacks, check out www.intuitivehypnotherapy.co.nz. Contact Beth 021 264 1788


The St Albans News relies

on your contributions. Please send your articles, letters and notices to

[email protected].

The deadline for the next

issue is Sunday the 18th of

August

ECONOMY TYRES AND SERVICES

All car repairs and WOF

30 years experience17 Stanmore Rd. Ph. 381 2347

(next door to St Albans Vet)

102 Cranford StreetPhone 355 6743

Inspection Welcome

Cats on Cranford

The St Albans Residents

Association is extremely

grateful to the Vodafone

Foundation Canterbury Fund

TOOLBOX parenting course – Teens and Tweens 12+

We will show you that, although challenging, they can be some of the best years of your life and theirs. The course covers Atmosphere, Boundaries, Communication, Discipline, Self-esteem, Future-focus. 6 Sessions at $67.50* pp or $90* per couple. Starts Wednesday 7th August 7:30-9:30pm. Neighbourhood Trust, 64 McFaddens Rd. For information or to register contact Sheila 355 4101 or email: [email protected] *funding available

To ensure that our newsletter is available to all people in our local community who are print disabled or would like it in another form we are looking at how this might be achieved. Suggested options are audio disc copy, phone recording, large print or different emailed format. At this stage what we would like to know is the number of people who would find these options enabled them to read our newsletter and ultimately become more involved in their community. Let us know if you or someone you know would benefit from being about to read StAN. Email [email protected] or leave a message on 027 7223663


Question Mark Answer

by Emma TwaddellI met Rachel recently in Edgeware

Village, where she was selling fudge to enable local children and adults to train for and compete in the Special Olympics competitions throughout New Zealand.

For the more than 6000 athletes involved, the benefits of participating in Special Olympics are much greater than physical fitness. Special Olympics changes lives. Through participating in sport, athletes with intellectual disabilities make friends;

they gain confidence; they get to be part of a team. As athletes develop physically and emotionally, they learn that they can achieve not only on the sports field but also in the community.

Rachel is, according to Special Olympics New Zealand, one of over 2500 people who volunteer their time for Special Olympics NZ alone. A 2008 study of the New Zealand Non-profit sector by Volunteering NZ and Office for Community and Voluntary Sector estimated that volunteers make up 67 per cent of non-profit workforce equal to 133,799 full time positions, a higher proportion than in any of the other 40 world countries participating in the research project.

New Zealand is a leading nation in contribution made by volunteers. In 2004, New Zealand volunteers contributed 4.9% to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP.) This is about the same as the building industry. z

VolunteeringWHO: YOU!

WHERE:ST ALBANS BAPTIST CHURCH

64 McFaddens RoadWHEN: Tuesday 17 September 2013

1.00pm to 6.00pmWHY: Find out how YOU can volunteer! Find out who is volunteering and why! Find out more about the organisations active in your community, ST ALBANS!

Tea/Coffee from 1-3pmSausage Sizzle from 4.30pm

FREE EVENT!EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Roving StAN

CCC staff have informed StAN the time capsule found in the St Albans Community Centre when it was demolished is safely in storage and they will be placing it into their archives where the conditions will be better for it until a decision is made about it. It has not been opened.

Left: Clarky lived in St Albans for years before jumping across Bealey Ave into the city. He is one of 9 children and when his mother had to name him she had run out of family names so she named him after her favourite movie character, Clark Kent. Clarky would love to see the boundaries set by NZGB rather than real estate agents.Right: Livvy Birch lives in McFaddens Road. She likes living in St Albans because it’s close to everything. She finds Edgeware Village a friendly place and over time has met some great people through the Edgeware Sports Bar.

Time is valuable - VOLUNTEERING is invaluable

Rachel Thompson – a volunteer for Special Olympics NZ.

St Albans News

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